Thankfully, most students and parents are not in the
position where civil action against a college is a consideration. So why should
all parents be familiar with the status of a collegeís civil responsibility and
exposure related to lapses in student safety?

The answer is in one of the most troubling concepts
encountered while researching the issue. There are many aspects of student
safety, especially with regards to alcohol use, where an institutionís legal
advisors instruct the administrators that involving yourselves with
controlling student behavior may create liability where the courts now say no
exposure exists.

Therefore, rather than doing what most parents would
expect, many colleges and universities allow behaviors, such as underage and
excessive drinking, go virtually unchecked. This is necessary knowledge to have
when assisting your child in choosing a college and for when you leave them with
the institution for months at a time.

The current status of the civil litigation environment
related to student safety is characterized by: